Liquorice contaminated with lead set for NZ recall

A liquorice sweet sold in New Zealand was last week found in Australia to be contaminated with lead.

Recall notices are expected to be published on this side of the Tasman later this week.

New Zealand Food safety officials were warned of the contamination last Friday.

The huge family-owned Darrell Lea company has issued a recall notice for all 185g bags of the company's yoghurt-coated raspberry liquorice and yoghurt-coated mango liquorice in at least 1100 Australian shops.

It has advised Australian customers not to eat these products.

In Wellington, a Food Safety Authority spokesman said it was given a "heads-up" about a possible recall on Friday and yesterday received formal notification from the trans-Tasman Food Standards Australia New Zealand agency.

"We are working with Australian authorities as well as the company here to ensure that it continues to fulfil its obligations under the Food Act," he said.

The company said it began removing product from the supply chain in New Zealand on Friday "and public recall notices should be published in the next day or so".

The spokesman said initial toxicological advice on the levels of lead involved meant it was unlikely to be a risk "because of the relatively low intake of liquorice in New Zealand".

The company said on its website its sweets are sold in New Zealand through supermarkets and specialty stores.

- NZPA